128 
9 

J5 H9 
opv 1 



MEWE CAME THE FIRST JEW- 
ISH SETTLERS OF NEW YORK? 



BY 



LEON HUHNER, A.M:,LL.B., 

New York. 



From the Publications of the American Jewish Historical 
Society, No. 9, 1901. 






WHENCE CAME THE FIRST JEWISH SETTLERS 
OF NEW YORK? 

By Leon Huhnee, A. M., LL. B,, New York. 

It has frequently been stated that the Jews who settled at 
New York were the first Jewish settlers within what is now 
the United States.^ For this reason the query, " Whence came 
these early Colonists? " must be of interest to all students of 
American Jewish history. 

Judge Daly, in his admirable work and other writers as 
well, inform us that these early Jews came from Bahia, 
Brazil, being refugees from that country.^ The reasons for 
this view are : First — We know that there were Jews 
in Brazil in considerable numbers long before 1650.^ 
Second — The Brazilian Jews were tolerated by the Dutch 
who gained the ascendancy in Brazil in the early part of 
the 17th century. Third — Because the Dutch power was 
broken in 1654 and the Portuguese reconquered the country.* 
The Jews consequently had to leave for other parts. In the 
same year Jews arrived in New Netherland.^ 

All this would seem to show that the Jews who arrived at 
New York in 1654 on the ship St. Catarina might have come 
from Brazil. The reason assigned for their coming from 
Bahia is, because the earliest record, of the Jews at New York, 
is found in the account of the suit brought by Jacques de 

' See Daly, Settlement of Jews in North America, p. 8. We know 
of individual Jewish settlers before this time, e. g. Lumbrozo in 
Maryland and the two Jewish soldiers in New York have been 
mentioned in the Publications. To these might be added Solomon 
Pietersen referred to below, and in Rec. of New Amsterdam, I, p. 240. 

2/6., p. 6. 3i6., p. 6. */^>., p. 6. 

' lb., also Records of New Amsterdam, vol. 1, p. 242, etc. 



76 American Jewish Historical Society. 

la Motthe, the captain of the vessel that brought them, in 
which it is stated that he demanded payment from the Jews 
whom he brought from Cape St. Anthony.^ Now as there is a 
Cape St. Anthony, a promontory opposite Bahia harbor, it has 
been considered conclusive that the Brazilian Jews, who were 
compelled to leave on account of the Dutch capitulation and 
the advancing Portuguese, hurriedly gathered at Cape St. 
Anthony, Bahia, and there made that hard contract with 
the captain to take them to New Netherland.^ 

The only other reason for this conclusion is found in the 
colonial records of New Netherland, when Gov. Stuyvesant 
asked the directors in Holland for permission to expel the 
Jews. The answer states two reasons why such a course 
should not be taken, namely, that it would be unreasonable 
and unfair especially because of the considerable loss sus- 
tained by the Jews in the taking of Brazil, and also because 
of the large amount of capital which they have invested in 
the shares of the West India Company.^ 

While preparing a paper on Asser Levy the writer searched 
the Court Minutes of New Amsterdam. In these, under 
date, September 12, 1654, appears the suit by Asser Levy 
against Rycke Nouues. Both Levy and Rycke Nounes, it is 
certain, came on the ship St. Catarina and formed part of 
Captain de la Motthe's company.^ 

In this suit Asser Levy demanded money, which he lent to 
the defendant at Gamonike, which the translator of the record 
informs us is Jamaica.^ The defendant in turn states that 

' Daly, Settlement, etc., p. 6. See Records of New Amsterdam, vol. 1, 
p. 240, etc. 

*The contract referred to provided that each passenger was to be 
liable for the cost of transportation of all the rest. 

^See Daly, Settlement, etc., p. 9. Documents relating to the Colonial 
History of the State of New York, edited by Brodhead, vol. 14, p. 315. 

^See paper by the writer entitled, "Asser Levy, a noted Jewish 
Burgher of New Amsterdam," Publications Amer. Jewish Hist. Soc, 
No. 8, and authorities cited. See also Records of New Amsterdam, 
vol. 1, pp. 242, 249, 254, 259. 

5i6.,p. 242. 



P. 
Author 

fPerttn). 

J?N '0. 



The First Jewish Settlers of New Yorh — Hilhner. 77 

she paid Levy's passage from Gamonike to New Netherland. 
It seems, therefore, that in any event the ship which brought 
the first Jews came from, or at least stopped at, Jamaica. 

The question, then, presents itself, " Why could not these 
Jews have come as readily from Jamaica, or some other por- 
tion of the West Indies, as from Brazil ? " 

For the purpose of investigating this question, several 
old works have been examined, and original contemporary 
maps sought out. 

This much is certain, that the Jews paid passage from 
Cape St. Anthony. Is this the Cape St. Anthony off Bahia, 
Brazil ? It is submitted that it is not, but that the place re- 
ferred to in the record is Cape St. Anthony off the western 
coast of Cuba. 

In searching through the Dutch records, the name Cape St. 
Anthony frequently occurs in other connections, and it is 
certain that the place mentioned is not in Brazil. Thus 
shortly after the arrival of the Jews in New York, there 
appears in the record a considerable correspondence between 
the Spanish government and the Dutch authorities, concern- 
ing a Spanish ship and cargo taken by a Dutch privateer off 
Cape St. Anthony. One Juan Gaillardo Ferrara was the 
complainant at whose instance the Spanish government 
interfered.^ 

From this correspondence it conclusively appears that 
Cape St. Anthony must be somewhere near Jamaica and 
Mexico, for Gaillardo in his affidavit says, that he was on 
his way from Jamaica to St. Jago de Kuba, when he was 
attacked in 1654. His chief witness, as appears in Brod- 
head's Colonial Documents, was one Adrian Jans, and his 
affidavit gives us an idea of what the Dutch understood by 
Cape St. Anthony. He states that in the year 1654, sailing 
in the Spanish advice-boat, bound from Carthagena to Cam- 
peachy, and from Campeachy on a full cruise in New Spain, 

^ See Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New 
York, edited by Brodhead, vol. 2, p. 28. See also pp. 23, 38, etc. 



78 American Jewish Historical Society. 

the said boat in the neighborhood of Cape St. Anthony was 
boarded and plundered by a Dutch privateer who brought 
the prize to New Amsterdam.^ He also states that the 
same privateer had taken a vessel off the coast of Jamaica.^ 
The records amply show that by Carthagena is meant 
the City of Venezuela, for there was a direct line of commu- 
nication between Carthagena and Jamaica.^ 

Now there is a Cape St. Anthony off the southwestern 
coast of Cuba, and this undoubtedly is the point meant by 
the record, for it completely tallies with the above descrip- 
tion. 

The old maps and books that have been consulted show 
that Cape St. Anthony, which by the way is now known as 
Cape Santo Antonio, was one of the most important ports 
between North and South America. 

A glance at the map will show that from its situation it 
completely commanded the Gulf of Mexico, the Indies and 
the passage to New Netherland. Spanish ships bound for 
Mexico, or New Spain, as it was called, the land of gold, 
had to pass this cape, and near it some of the boldest pirates 
lay in wait for richly laden vessels. 

On several old maps the Cape St. Anthony at Bahia does 
not appear at all, while Cape St. Anthony in Cuba invariably 
appears as an important place. This is the case on the map 
of America, in an atlas published in 1673, known as Die 
Unbekannte Neue Welt.* On other maps Mexico and 
Central America are known as New Spain, the West Indies 
by that name, and Brazil simply as Brazil.^ 

•i6., p. 28. 

2 One affidavit mentioning the capture of a certain ship off Cape 
St. Anthony, recited that the ship was on a voyage from Jamaica 
to " St. Jago de Kuba." lb., p. 38. 

^ That the ship was actually captured near Jamaica appears from 
Brodhead's Colonial Documents, vol. 1, p. 577. 

'^ Die Unbekannte Neue Welt, by Dr. 0. D., Amsterdam, 1673. 

*This map applies to Mexico and Central America the name 
of " Hispania Nova." 



The First Jewish Settlers of New York — Huhner. 79 

Gram's Atlas of the World, published in 1897, places St. 
Anthony exactly where Cape St. Anthony appears on the 
ancient maps.^ This port appears strongly marked on 
VopelPs Erdglobus, and on the Paris Gilt Globe as early as 
1524.2 

The Transactions of the West India Company, written by 
De Laet and published by Elzevir, at Leyden, Holland, in 
1644, mention Cape St. Anthony frequently, and each time 
the Cuban Cape is meant. Thus in one place it is spoken of 
as opposite Campeachy ; then as on the southern side of Cuba, 
and again as in the neighborhood of Florida.^ The Spanish 
works do likewise ; thus Herrera's book, in 1730, speaking 
of American commerce, says : " From Carthagena we come 
to Cape St. Anton, on the west side of Cuba about 200 
leagues, and from Cape St. Anton to Havana about 50 
leagues." ^ 

It thus appears that the Dutch records and the West India 
Company's records, when referring to Cape St, Anthony, 
mean this important Cuban port and not the promontory off 
Bahia. 

Let us now see what the Dutch records have to say in 
this connection in regard to the voyage of the Jews. No- 
where do these state that the Jews came from Brazil ; quite 
the contrary, they invariably refer to the Jews as coming 
from the West Indies.^ We have already alluded to the 

^ Cape St. Antonio appears opposite Cape Catoche, at the extreme 
west end of Cuba. 

^ Caspar Vopell's Erdglobus, of 1542. On this, the only Cape St. 
Anthony that is shown is in Cuba. See also Hamburgsche Festschrift 
zur Errinnerung an der Entdeekung Amerikas. The Paris Gilt Globe 
gives both capes. 

^ Historie ofte Jaerlyck Verhael van de Verricht ighen der Gerctro- 
veerde West Indische Compagnie, Joannes de Laet, Leyden, by Elze- 
vir, 1644. See p. 87, etc. 

* Descripcion de las Indias Oeidentales de Antono de Herrera (1730), 
p. 4. Cape St. Anton is described as being opposite Honduras. 

^ See Records of New Amsterdam (Court Minutes), vol. 1, p. 249: 
" Oct. 5, 1654: John Martyas, plf., vs. Assar Leeven, deft." Plaintiff 



80 American Jewish Historical Society. 

slop made bj the party at Jamaica as evidenced on two 
occasions by the court records. Looking at the map noth- 
ing is more natural than that these Jews set out from 
Jamaica, went to Cape St. Anthony, which they had to pass, 
and thence to New Netherland. They may have been rob- 
bed by privateers before reaching the Cape, and this would 
account for their impoverished condition. The fact, too, that 
they came by a French vessel confirms the view that they 
came from the Indies where the French had considerable 
possessions.^ 

In another suit by the sailors on the same contract in 
October, 1654, they are described as the sailors who brought 
the Jews here from the West Indies.^ 

The entry in the suit against Asser Levy, October 19, 
1654, says that Kycke Nounes demanded payment for freight 
from the West Indies.=^ And on March 15, 1655, we find 
the order of Van Tienhoven, the sheriff of New York, which 
reads " that the council have resolved to expel the Jews who 
came last year from the West Indies."* Investigation shows 
too that the term West Indies, at this period, had a perfectly 
definite meaning and in no way included Brazil.^ 

sues "as attorney and agent of the sailors who brought the Jews 
here from the West Indies." Also p. 254, under date Oct. 19, 1654. 

Solomon Pietersen, as attorney for Rycke Nounes vs. Asser 
fl ?L^^; PlaintifiP in his capacity aforesaid demands payment of 
tl. 105 18 which Rycke Nounes paid for transportation for him from 
the West Indies. 

Again, Records of New Amsterdam, vol. 1, p. 291, referring to the 
attempt made to expel the Jews in 1655: "Fiscal Cornelis van 
Tienhoven informed the Burgomasters and Schepens the Director 
General and Supreme Council have resolved that the Jews who 
came last year from the West Indies and now from fatherland 
must prepare to depart forthwith." See also Valentine's ifan^/aZ 
for 1849, p. 387. 

oo'/o-^ S*^'""^ '^ ^''^ ^'"^''' "^y Capt. Thos. Southey, vol. I, p. 

d34-3o; Hist, of Brazil, by Robert Southey, vol. II, p. 710. 
- Records of Neiv Amsterdam, vol. I, p, 249 etc. 
3 Ibid. vol. I, p. 259, ' 

*Ibid. vol. I, p. 291, also Valentine's Manual, 1849, p. 387. 
See maps and Spanish and Dutch works referred to. 



The First Jewish Settlers of Neiv York — Hilhner. 81 

Now the writer does not by any means want to be under- 
stood as saying that these early settlers had lived in Jamaica 
for a long time. All that is claimed is that the Cape 
St. Anthony from which the Jews came is the port in 
Cuba, and that there is a possibility that these Jews or some 
of them were old settlers in the West Indies. 

It may be asked, " If these men were old settlers, why did 
they leave the Indies ? " The reason is simple. It is well 
known that by 1654 the seas around Jamaica and Barbados 
had become infested with French, Spanish and Dutch 
privateers and pirates. The records and histories of the 
time show that all legitimate trade was absolutely ruined. 
These privateers often descended on neighboring ports, 
plundering the inhabitants. If these Jews were actually 
domiciled in Jamaica, they had every reason to leave, both 
for the reason given and also because Cromwell's fleet 
which lay in the neighborhood of Jamaica and San 
Domingo, practically cut off commerce. The histories 
of Jamaica tell us that when the English took that 
island in 1655, it was almost depopulated and its plan- 
tations ruined.^ Stuyvesant himself had to go to the West 
Indies during the year that the Jews arrived, to protest 
against interference with Dutch trade and the constant 
capture of Dutch vessels.' The Jews, naturally a nation of 
traders, had every reason, then, to leave Jamaica or some 
other portion of the Indies, for some place better suited for 
commerce.^ 

*It is also known that Cromwell received valuable informa- 
tion from Jewish residents at Jamaica. 

^ See O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, vol. II, p. 286. 
Stuyvesant left in December, 1654, and returned in July, 1655. 

3 See Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New 
York, edited by Brodhead, vol. 2, p. 23. See also complaints made 
by the States General for losses on account of captures made at 
Curasao, etc. Also Records of New Amsterdam^ vol. I, p. 576, and 
Harris' Discoveries and Settlements of the English, in Pinkerton's Col- 
lection, vol. 12, p. 310, etc. 
6 



82 American Jewish Historical Society. 

These arguments are advanced merely because of the 
possibility and not the probability of the Jews having come 
from there. The writer is aware that the objections will be 
made, that we do not know that Jews had settled in the Indies 
in considerable numbers at this period. If, therefore, this 
paper will serve to encourage research in this regard, its 
object will be fulfilled.^ 

That the field is a fruitful one, appears from a curious 
note which the writer has discovered and which he ventures 
to give in full. While the agitation concerning the admis- 
sion of Jews into England was still going on, one Thomas 
Violet, who had been a customs official under Charles I, 
published a pamphlet against admitting them. It is entitled 
" Petition against the Jews presented to the King's Majesty 
and the Parliament," and was published in London in 1660. 
After reviewing Cromwell's policy, and the petition of 
Menassah ben Israel, he proceeds to give his reasons for 
keeping out the Jews. Among them the following, 
" that it would be to the great damage of our merchants 
whose trade they engross and eat the children's bread and in 
the Barbadoes they do so swarm, that had not care been 
taken to banish them in twenty years they would eat out the 
English, but by the care of this blessed Parliament they 
were within a year to be banished thence." ~ This is per- 
haps the earliest reference to Jews in considerable numbers 
in the West Indies. 



^ Since this paper was written, Mr. Max J. Kohler has called 
my attention to a book entitled Eight Chapters in the History of 
Jamaica, from A. D. 1508-J.. D. 1680, Illustrating the Settlement of 
Jews in the Island, by Richard Hill, published at Kingston, Jamaica, 
W. DeCordova, McDougall and Co., no date. From this work it 
appears that Jews settled in Jamaica as early as the 16th Century 
and that Jewish settlers were both numerous and influential as 
early as 1641. After the English conquest they were protected by 
Cromwell. 

^The writer found this volume at the Astor Library, New York 
City. 



The First Jewish Settlers of New York — Hilhner. 83 

But to return to Brazil. Besides the proof that the 
Dutch records do not refer to Cape St. Anthony in Bahia 
but to the Cape in Cuba, there is still another argument that 
these New York Jews did not come from Bahia : there 
were then no professing Jews in Bahia. 

There were, it is true, many Jews in Brazil, but it is 
equally true that none of them resided at Bahia. The Dutch 
had captured that city in 1623, but they lost it again in 1625, 
and from that date onward, Bahia remained uninterruptedly 
in the possession of the bigoted Portuguese, in spite of many 
efforts to retake it.^ The Dutch subsequently took Recife 
or Pernambuco which became their great stronghold, and in 
which thousands of Jews resided. The Dutch conquests 
extended north of Recife, but they never managed to get 
south of it.^ 

In an old work on Brazil by Nieuhoff, the author states 
that Bahia and Rio were from 1625 on constantly under 
Portuguese rule, and it was from Bahia as a central point 
that the Portuguese under Vieyra and others again conquered 
the country.^ 

Heeren, in his Historical Researches says, "All Pernambuco 
and some contiguous provinces were brought under the 
dominion of the Dutch who were unable, however, to make 
themselves masters of Bahia." * 

Throughout the whole struggle, Bahia was the strong 
hold of the Portuguese, the Jesuits and the Inquisition, and 
its record is one of the most intense bigotry.^ Moreover, 

' See Heeren's Historical Researches, p. 113. Also Nieuhoff's 
History of Brazil in vol. 14 of Pinkerton's Collection, p. 733. 

' See Spanish and Portuguese South America, by R. G. Watson, vol. 2. 

3 Nieuhoff's History of Brazil. This work is contained in Pinker- 
ton's Collection of Travels, vol. 14, p. 733. See also Spanish and 
Portuguese South America, by R. G. Watson, vol. 2, p. 74, and 
Southey's History of Brazil, vol. 2, p. 227, etc. 

* Heeren, Historical Researches, p. 113. St. Salvador was another 
name for Bahia. 

'" See Spanish and Portuguese SpuJhAmerica, by R. G. Watson, vol. 
2, p. 71. The Holy Ofl&ce wao "^tfti^tio^>4 at Bahia. When a liberal 



84 American Jewish Historical Society. 

during the entire war, there were the most stringent enact- 
ments on both sides to prevent all trade between that 
city and Recife. The Jews at Eecife, therefore, would 
naturally go to the northward and not south towards their 
enemies. 

From Bahia, the Portuguese fleet proceeded to attack 
Recife, and that great Dutch city surrendered on January 
15, 1654.^ In September of the same year, Jews came to 
New York. 

The presence of Jews at Recife is shown by Beauchamp 
in his history of Brazil. The French historian after describ- 
ing the despair of the Dutch at the capture of Recife pro- 
ceeds : " Recife was now given over to disorder and anarchy. 
More than five thousand Jews, who knew no other interest 
but that of commerce, in their alarm and fear of pillage, in 
which they saw their wealth menaced, ran through the streets 
filling the air with their cries and lamentations."^ Five 
thousand Jews were therefore in Recife at the time of its 
capitulation. 

It would be absurd to imagine that these Jews after the 
capitulation would run into Bahia, the enemies' stronghold. 
The probabilities are that they hastily repaired to the North 
and settled at various places in the West Indies. 

Du Tertre informs us that some nine hundred Jews and 
Dutch settled at Guadeloupe and a few Jews at Martinique, 

plan for founding a Brazilian Company was proposed, it was at once 
opposed and defeated by the Inquisition. See also Southey's 
History of Brazil, vol. ii, p. 241. 

^Ib., vol. ii, pp. 239, 242. 

- Ristoire du Bresil, by Alphonse de Beauchamp, Paris, 1815, vol. 
3, p. 317. Describing the taking of Recife on January 15, 1654, the 
French historian proceeds: " Le Recif attaque cette fois dans toutes 
les regies de I'art militaire etait deja livre au desordre et a I'anarchie. 
Plus de cinq mille Juifs, qui n'y connaissaient d'autre interet que 
celui de leur commerce, alarm^s, et cedant a la crainte du pillage 
dont ils voyaient leur richesses menac^es, parcouraient les rues en 
remplissant I'air de leur cris et de leur gemissemens." 



The First Jewish Settlers of New York—Huhner. 85 

and Southey tells us that at both places the Jews were 
plundered on their arrival.^ 

It is more than likely therefore that many of these 
Brazilian Jews seeking refuge in the West Indian Islands in 
January and February, 1654, came to Jamaica and thence 
embarked by way of Cape St. Anthony in Cuba, for New 
Netherland. 

To sum up, this paper merely claims the following: 

1. That the Jews who settled in New York did n'ot come 
from Bahia, Brazil. 

2. That they came by way of Cape St. Anthony in Cuba. 

3. That there is a possibility that they may have been 
early settlers in the West Indies who left on account of the 
danger to trade at that period. And, 

4. That the most probable view is that they came from 
Recife in Brazil when that city fell into the hands of 
the Portuguese on January 15, 1654, that they either lost 
their goods at Recife, or were plundered on the way, and that 
between January and August, they had found refuge in 
Jamaica (Gamonike) or some other West Indian Island, 
whence they embarked to the Dutch Colony, of New Nether- 
land. 

'See Southey's Msiory of Brazil, 1817, vol. 2. Also/J p 710 
Also Du Tertre, vol. I, p. 528, also pp. 460-5. Du Tertre states that 
the Governor of Martinique was willing to receive the refugees from 
Kecife but the Jesuits interposed and represented " that nothing 
could be more contrary to the King's intentions than that Heresy 
and Judaism should be received into his colonies." " Their remon- 
strances were so strong that the governor reluctantly retracted 
his promise, and treated them as civilly as he could." A few Jews 
were allowed to settle, and for this the Governor was held up to 
ridicule. See Relation du Voyage de Cayenne, par M. Biet. Southey 
quotes Du Tertre's defense of the governor which exhibits even 
stronger feeling. "C'est une imposture eflroiable, et un mensonge 
enorme de dire qu'on ait jamais donne la liberie aux Juifs de faire la 
moindre_ action de leur religion. M. Parquet ne se servoit des 
Juifs qui estoient venus de Bresil en son Isle que comme des 
esclaves pour les bien de son peuple, ainsi que I'on s'enserta Rome 
en Avignon, et a Metz." Vol. I, p. 528. See eilao msiory of the West 
Indies, by Capt. Thomas Southey, vol. I, p. 334. 



